The Committee's Response to COVID-19

The American people need and deserve a coordinated, fully funded, whole-of-government response to keep them and their loved ones safe from this pandemic. The Committee will continue to work relentlessly and in a bipartisan way to put workers, students, and families first and protect Americans’ health, economic security and well-being.

Protecting Students’ Access to Education 

Congress has passed COVID-19 response legislation that provides more than $30 billion in emergency education funding for students, educators, schools, and institutions across the country. This funding will help displaced students afford basic essentials, help educators adapt to long-term school closures, fund purchases for online learning materials, and provide a lifeline to cash-strapped institutions. Congress also took steps to prevent children from going hungry during this public health crisis by giving states and schools the flexibility they need to provide students access to nutritious meals.

For an overview of the Committee's work to support students, families, educators, and institutions, click here. 

For questions about changes to student loan payments, click here. For online educational resources for teachers and parents, click here. For more information on the current status of child care in your state, click here. For information on Head Start programs, click here.

For information on safely reopening schools, visit the CDC's guidance on Considerations for Schools; the American Federation of Teachers' Plan to Safely Reopen America’s Schools and Communities; and the National Education Association's Initial Guidance for Reopening Schools.     

Supporting Workers and Their Families 

To protect workers’ paychecks, Congress has dramatically expanded unemployment insurance for all workers and extended paid sick leave to as many as 87 million workers. We will continue working to ensure that all workers can care for themselves and their loved ones without sacrificing their paychecks.

For an overview of the Committee's work to provide immediate and sustained support to workers and their families, click here. 

For additional questions about emergency paid leave, visit the Department of Labor's FAQ page here.

Ensuring Access to Affordable Health Care 

To strengthen access to affordable health care, Congress has secured cost-free coverage for COVID-19 testing and any future vaccines. We will continue working to extend this coverage to all coronavirus-related treatment so that victims facing the virus are not hit with costly medical bills afterward.

For an overview of the Committee's work to secure access to affordable care and essential services, click here. 

For additional guidance on coronavirus-related health coverage provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and CARES Act, click here.

Key Legislation 

Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (Signed into Law on March 6, 2020)

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Signed into Law on March 18, 2020)

The Take Responsibility for Workers & Families Act (House Democrats Proposal Introduced on March 23, 2020)

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Signed into Law on March 27, 2020)

Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (Signed into Law on April 24, 2020)

Heroes Act (House Democrats Proposal Passed on May 15, 2020)

Updated Heroes Act (House Democrats Proposal Passed on October 1, 2020)

Letters

To read the Committee’s letters to the administration about their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.